As we head towards winter, the days continue to get shorter and colder, beckoning us to slow down and stay home more often. While we may feel inclined to stay home and settle in, we also have many celebrations this month. To balance the hustle and bustle of the holidays, be sure to eat healthily when you’re not celebrating, and get some rest. To help you maintain balance during the festive season, here are some self-care tips for December. December Self-Care Tips Food In gene

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic self-massage practice that involves applying warm (sometimes medicated) oil to the body. It is a traditional wellness ritual that has been practiced for centuries in India. We use oil because it matches the skin’s sebum (the oily substance that protects your skin from drying out), so it penetrates through the layers of the skin better than lotion, thereby helping to protect your skin’s natural hydration. Abhyanga - Self Oil Massage Benefits of Abhyang

November is American Diabetes Month in the United States, and November 14th marks World Diabetes Day. If you’re living with diabetes—or at risk—incorporating yoga into your routine may offer real benefits. Understanding Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic condition related to the body's ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels, a function primarily managed by the pancreas. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes : Often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence,

The leaves are turning color, and the Balloon Fiesta is starting this weekend here in the Albuquerque area. It’s a beautiful sight – lots of colorful balloons with colorful changing leaves. So, now that we’re fully into Fall (or Vata season), it’s important to stay warm and build immune health. The holidays are right around the corner, so be sure to get some rest to calm the nervous system. Follow some of these selfcare guidelines for October. Selfcare Guidelines for October

Yin Yoga   is a great complement to other styles of yoga, such as Vinyasa and Hatha, as well as other forms of exercise. Exercise creates heat in the body, thereby targeting and opening the larger muscle groups; Yin Yoga, however, focuses on stillness, and targets the deeper connective tissues of the body (joints, ligaments, and fascia), as well as the energetic channels and centers. About Yin Yoga History It’s a fairly new style of yoga, about 30 years old, yet it’s rooted i

As we transition from the warmer season of summer to the cooler season of fall, we need to take extra care of our skin. Fall is the beginning of Vata season in Ayurveda; and Vata’s qualities are dry, light, cold and rough, so you may notice your skin taking on these qualities. As the weather gets colder, the body draws blood from the limbs into your core to protect the internal organs. This can cause the skin to look pale and become dry. So, you'll need to step up your skinca

My yoga schedule this fall includes two new classes at a yoga studio near me, so I hope that if you're local, you'll come check out a class. If not, maybe I'll see you online. Fall Yoga Schedule Yoga in the Park - In Person Yoga in the Park  is held at Haynes Park in Rio Rancho, NM on Thursdays from 9-10am MT . We meet at the south-west corner of the park. Bring your mat and any props you may need. This class will end for the summer Thursday, 9/25. Gentle Flow Yoga - Online

I will be teaching a Chair Yoga class at a local yoga studio beginning tomorrow, September 5th at Yoga 4/1 , 10200 Golf Course Road, NW, Suite B in Albuquerque, NM. It's a 45-minute class, and we'll meet every Friday from 11:30am - 12:15pm. About Chair Yoga Chair Yoga is for anyone, but especially those with balance issues, range of motion limitations, or those who can't get down on the floor. If you’re recovering from an injury, are new to yoga, or looking for a gentler yog

In late September, summer comes to an end and autumn begins. The mornings and evenings are becoming cooler, the leaves are starting to turn color, and soon the smell of apples and pumpkins will fill the air. Autumn is Vata season in Ayurveda, and has the qualities of dry, cold, windy, and rough. We need to balance these qualities with moist, warm, stable, and smooth. So, follow some of these selfcare tips for September. September Selfcare Tips Diet Minimize or avoid raw foods

The days are longer and warmer, children are out of school, and we turn our attention to summer activities, such as vacationing, pool parties, picknicks, and barbecues. To stay cool and healthy this June, follow some of these selfcare tips. Selfcare Tips for June Diet With the summer heat, you’ll want to focus on smaller, lighter meals, because they’re easier on your digestion, especially during the heat of the day. Choose from any of these seasonal foods.  Fruits that are in

Aaahhh – it’s May! There’s a lot of “green” in nature, and flowers are blooming. The days are getting longer and warmer, so we turn our attention to being outdoors more. To stay healthy, follow some of these health tips for May, including diet, herbs, and lifestyle. Health Tips for May Diet With the cold weather behind us, you may notice that you’re craving lighter foods like fruit and vegetables. Well, this is your body’s way of telling you to lighten up your diet. It’s time

April is within Kapha season, according to Ayurveda, and is characterized by increasing warmth and moisture. This moisture can lead to a buildup of Kapha dosha in our bodies, causing heaviness, lethargy, and congestion. If this sounds like you, then try some of these self-care tips for April. Self-care Tips for April Diet We need a diet that is light, warm, and dry to drain dampness and to support the liver. Light, warm, dry foods include greens like dandelions, beet greens,

Welcome to November!  The cold, dry, windy air is with us and is characteristic of Vata dosha in Ayurveda. To counteract these qualities, we want the opposite characteristics of warm, moist, and grounded. To do so, follow some of these selfcare tips for November.   November Selfcare Tips Diet Include hearty whole grains, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. Favor sweet and earthy root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and potatoes. Be sure to eat

Aah – September! After a long, sizzling summer, we start to get a break from the heat, especially in the mornings and evenings. Autumn is coming, and we’re in a two-week transitional period called Ritu Sandhi in Ayurveda or Seasonal Junction.   The last week of one season and the first week of the next season make up this two-week Ritu Sandhi period. It’s a sensitive time when we need to let go of the previous season’s diet and lifestyle practices and welcome the next season’

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.  Your skin is the largest organ of your body; and its functions are to protect you from heat, sunlight, injury, and infection; control your body temperature; and store water, fat, and vitamin D.  Considering all that your skin does for you, protect your skin to prevent skin cancer as much as possible. Protect Your Skin This Summer Types of Skin Cancer There are different types of skin cancer, but the most com

A good night’s sleep is important to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit.  In Ayurveda, sleep is one of the three pillars of good health.  Learn about the power of sleep - its benefits as well as what you can do. The Power of Sleep The Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep The benefits of healthy sleep include a strong immune system, maintaining a healthy weight, a lower risk for developing a serious health problem, reduced stress, an improved mood, improved cognition and decis

Start preparing for the cold and flu season now. One herb that is beneficial for respiratory health is mullein (Verbascum Thapsis). It's abundant now; so forage what you can if you see it growing while walking or hiking. However, don't pick any herb that grows along a busy highway or road (which mullein does); rather go in about a mile to gather any plants. Read more about mullein for respiratory health - it's history and benefits. Mullein for Respiratory Health The History o

As the summer heat rises, be sure to stay hydrated. Hydration is important for regulating your body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated, preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, keeping your organs functioning properly, and for improving cognition, mood and sleep. Stay Hydrated Dehydration means you’re losing more water than you’re taking in. You’re also losing electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium. In the summer heat, you may lose mo

Gardening has many health benefits; but not just physical benefits. It's also good for the mind and spirit. Health Benefits of Gardening Physical Benefits Gardening is a great way to eat healthier, especially if you grow organic produce. People who garden eat a lot more vegetables (and fresher) than those who don't; and a plant-forward diet has been associated with increased benefits to the heart, reduced cancer risk, and longevity. Also, gardening is great exercise for the

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system that's over 5,000 years old; and in this system, there are three doshas (types of substances...